Norris makes Italian GP start vow after hoodoo review

Lando Norris has declared that he is not worried over the possibility of his long-standing F1 inability to convert pole into leading the first lap of the race.

Norris bagged his fourth pole of the season for the Italian GP, but has yet to lead the first lap of any of his previous five sprint or grand prix poles - losing out last time out at Zandvoort to Max Verstappen. 

However, McLaren chief Zak Brown has taken responsibility for the spate of poor starts, believing it to be a team issue.

Norris was able to overcome Verstappen to win the Dutch GP, but with the long-standing issue over starts and launches hanging over him and the long run to Turn 1, questions were once again posed to the McLaren racer.

However, he firmly rejected the idea of worry.

"We of course reviewed things like we always do, and I feel like we've made progress so far with our practice launches and stuff like that," he told media including RacingNews365.

"We will just crack on and do our best. I'm not [worried]. 

"If I wasn't on pole and Mercedes were first or Red Bull were first, it's also not the end of the world.

"You can only do the best you can on every, and to show that we could be first and second was a great thing. But everything's important at the minute, for me. Every point, every position is crucial. 

"That's the way we have to work until the end of the season."

Norris on Verstappen threat

Norris has a chance to eat into Max Verstappen's 70-point championship lead at Monza, given the fact that the Red Bull struggled to seventh on the grid. 

Observing the challenge, Norris felt Verstappen would still be a threat in the race.

"It's a good opportunity. I mean, I expect him to come through and probably be behind us quite quickly," he added.

"Their race pace looked very strong on Friday. They were on the better side of the graining and the degradation, so I expect them to probably be a bit more hopeful.

"For some reason, they just didn't seem to take those steps forward through qualifying. He still seemed quick, like in Q2 he was right there and ended up quicker than me, even on a used tyre. 

"His gap to Pérez wasn't as big as what it normally is, so I don't know if he just struggled more with something or just didn't put good enough laps in, but... Yeah, it'll be for a reason, I'm sure.

"We just need to try and make the most of that."